insert_link Namibia Road Fund Administration Researches Electric Vehicle Levy and Automation for Road Charges The Road Fund Administration is exploring a new levy model for electric vehicles to address the decline in fuel tax revenue due to their increasing use. RFA’s Elton !Gaoseb highlighted the challenge of integrating electric vehicles into Namibia’s road maintenance funding system. In addition to this research, the RFA is working on automating the Mass Distance Charges process to enhance efficiency and ensure accurate revenue collection. The RFA also emphasizes […] todayAugust 30, 2024 35
insert_link Namibia Namibians Face Lower Incomes in Election Year Compared to 2015 For the first time, Namibians are experiencing lower average incomes in an election year compared to 2015, according to economist Robin Sherbourne. Speaking at the Institute for Public Policy Research’s annual state of the economy event, Sherbourne highlighted that gross domestic product per capita fell from judt over 64 thousand in 2015 to N$50,079 in 2023. Sherbourne suggested that the economic downturn could influence voter sentiment in the upcoming elections. […] todayAugust 30, 2024 8
insert_link Business / Economics Business and Economics Researcher Warns of Political Risks in SOE Reforms Business and Economics Researcher Josef Kefas Sheehama recently discussed the state of state-owned enterprises in South Africa and Namibia. He expressed concerns about South Africa's proposal to transfer SOE shareholder responsibilities to relevant ministries, such as their Ministry of Energy. While acknowledging the potential benefits, Sheehama cautioned that increased political involvement could undermine SOE efficiency and effectiveness, exacerbating existing challenges. todayAugust 30, 2024 32
insert_link Business / Economics INTERVIEW: State-Owned Enterprises: Insights from Business and Economics Researcher Josef Kefas Sheehama In a recent discussion, Business and Economics Researcher Josef Kefas Sheehama shared his perspectives on the state of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa and Namibia, shedding light on critical issues and proposed reforms. Sheehama addressed the current proposal in South Africa to reassign the shareholder responsibilities of SOEs to relevant ministries, such as the Ministry of Energy. While acknowledging the potential benefits of this move, he expressed concerns about […] todayAugust 30, 2024 14
insert_link Namibia Minister of Water Stresses Water Cooperation at This Year’s World Water Week Water Minister Carl Schlettwein attended World Water Week, focusing on the theme "Bridging Borders: Water for a Peaceful and Sustainable Future." The event highlighted the global interconnectedness of water resources and the need for international cooperation to ensure peace and sustainability. The ministry's Jona Musheko expands on the vitality of this: todayAugust 30, 2024 31
insert_link Health / Medical Health Ministry Updates On Results for Three Potential Mpox Cases This week, the Health Ministry announced that 18 patients across Namibia's public and private health facilities have been tested for Mpox. Of these, 15 cases returned negative results, while the outcomes for the remaining three are still pending. Executive Director Ben Nangombe provided the latest update: todayAugust 30, 2024 49
insert_link Business / Economics Namibia Sees 22.6% Surge in New Insurance Policies in Q1 2024 Despite Year-on-Year Decline Namibia recorded a 22.6% increase in new insurance policies in Q1 2024, reaching 102,597 policies, according to NAMFISA. However, this marks a 45.3% year-on-year decline. The total number of active policies grew by 3.2% quarter-on-quarter to nearly 1.94 million, driven by reduced policy terminations and lapses. The demand for credit risk policies contributed to the quarterly rise, while a decrease in individual investments led to the annual decline. Policy lapses […] todayAugust 30, 2024 14
insert_link Namibia Late release of political party manifestos risks voter confusion Following the release of a media monitoring report on election coverage by the Office of the Media Ombudsman on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, Dr. Wanja Njuguna, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Journalism and Media Technology at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST), raised concerns about the timing of political party manifestos. She pointed out that releasing these documents late in the election cycle could negatively impact […] todayAugust 29, 2024 96
insert_link Business / Economics New Bank of Namibia bonds expected to improve financial access The Bank of Namibia is preparing to introduce the country’s first retail bonds, allowing low to medium-income earners to invest in government debt. According to Max Rix, Head of Investments at Simonis Storm Securities, this initiative could broaden financial inclusion and promote financial literacy among Namibians. todayAugust 29, 2024 114